These guys bend, twist, swing and attack 18 holes without an ache in their body. How? India’s coolest golfers reveal their fitness secrets

These guys bend, twist, swing and attack 18 holes without an ache in their body. How? India’s coolest golfers reveal their fitness secrets

Digvijay SinghSingh, 41, aka Diggi, might be one of the oldest players we have, but he is also among the fittest. Plus, he has won an Asian Tour event. Fitness regimeInstead of the gym, I’ve been doing functional training, a mix of core exercises and running. I stay mentally fit by...regularly practising target shooting (I am a national-level shooter). It helps me stay focused. Destress mantraSkydiving and riding my Yamaha R1 bike on the Jaipur highway. Also I love to holiday, particularly in Thailand. Diet secretsI never have dinner after 8 pm. But I do eat lots of fruits, cereals, high proteins and carbs. Eggs and meat before a game give me the sustained energy needed for a shot. If I wasn’t a golfer, I would have been...an officer in the armed forces.My ultimate goal is...to watch my daughter grow up, and win the European tour.Gaganjeet BhullarRanked five nationally, Bhullar, 24, is the among the few Indian golfers in the million-dollar club.Fitness regimeI hit the gym five times a week to do cross-training as intense workouts work better for golfers who are always under pressure.I stay mentally fit by...meditating a few times a week. It helps me stay calm and focused.Destress mantraHolidaying in Europe, watching good comedy films and reading fiction. I chill out by playing tennis. Diet secretsOn the tour, I tend to eat Thai, Japanese and Korean cuisine. I like to have more carbs in the morning and more protein at night. If I wasn’t a golfer, I would have been...an officer in the civil services. My ultimate goal is...to get the PGA tour trophy.Anirban LahiriLahiri, 25, lists Jeev Milkha Singh and Vijay Singh as his inspirations. He is among the top golfers in Asia.Fitness regimeCircuit training, plyometrics (jump training) and squash at the Golf Academy in Bangalore. I stay mentally fit by...going for Vipassana retreats. It has really honed my patience. Destress mantraCooking, partying, watching thrillers and visiting my parents in Jamnagar whenever I can.Diet secretsAlthough I avoid fried and fast food, I love gorging on puchkas whenever I am in Kolkata. If I wasn’t a golfer, I would have been... a lawyer or an engineer. My ultimate goal is...To win each major at least once.Vikrant ChopraChopra, 32, was a national-level swimmer before he discovered golf in college. His Asia ranking is 25.Fitness regimeI lift weights and run for five km. At the the gym, I do circuit training twice. I also play football.I stay mentally fit by...extensive mental training and reading books on golf. I want to begin meditating very soon.Destress mantraListening to old Hindi film music and chilling out by watching all kinds of movies. Also, I love vacationing in Europe with my friends. Diet secretsWhile on the tour, I stick to a vegetarian diet and prefer chicken and fish otherwise. I am fond of street food and sweets such as jalebi and gulab jamun. If not a golfer, I would have been... an IAS officer or a soldier in the Army.My ultimate goal is...to play the PGA tour and then win a major tournament. Khalin JoshiThe 20-year-old, who turned professional this season, is ranked 21st on the national circuit. Fitness regimeA lot of freehand exercises.I stay mentally fit by...deep breathing before teeing off. Destress mantraListening to music, from hip hop to Hindi movie songs. My idea of a holiday is at a beach resort in the Maldives.Diet secretsI try and eat healthy but also like pizzas and chaat. If not a golfer, I would have been....Ever since I was a kid, I’ve only thought of playing golf.My ultimate goal is...to be the best golfer in the world.

From HT Brunch, March 10

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